Saturday, April 8

The butterfly is a new creation just as a born again Christian is a new creation.The term “born again Christian” is misleading in that it implies that there are or could be another type of Christian. The truth is that a born again Christian is the only kind of true Christian. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3). Peter mentions being born again in (1 Peter 1:23). Being born again by God’s power is part of the process of becoming a Christian. If a person has not been born again, he is not a Christian and has not been saved. It is possible to claim to be a Christian without being born again, and that certainly happens and is spoken of many times in Scriptures. Scripture also tells us in many places that being born again is not a decision that man makes in and of himself, like joining a club or organization, but rather is a work of God. Paul said in Titus, “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” In the Old Testament, the Prophet Ezekiel said “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Paul said, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5). God makes spiritually dead people alive by rebirth and renewal. This is being born again and is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. This process of regeneration is the amazing GRACE that comes from God and occurs before a sinner responds with faith and repentance.